Strawberry picking

Today was strawberry picking on a neighboring island, on a self-pick farm, with my soon-to-be 90-year-old mother.

I don't recommend it!
It's just not worth it!
Avoid it if you can!

By the time you park the car and get yourself and mother out of the car it has already turned into an ordeal. Then you have to get your little empty buckets weighed, then you have to walk to the strawberry field. There is nothing for elderly pickers to sit on. It's also very hard to see the berries. You have to move the plants around a bit. You can get very dizzy bending down.

Still, we ended up picking four litres but that was really all we could do. I had to ask the person overseeing the picking if it was ok for me to go back and get the car so I could drive on the little path and pick up my mother.  She very reluctantly agreed but it wasn't very popular with the other pickers, you could tell. You could tell what they were thinking!

Anyway, after a few detours on the way back and a wasp sting in my scalp, we had a late lunch with strawberries for dessert. Wish I could show you a photo but my camera is acting up and I don't know how to get photos off my phone. I really need another adult here, preferably under 35. Isn't it lucky that only son is coming soon for a little visit. He doesn't know it but there is a little list of things for him to do.

We have been very lucky with the weather here in this part of Sweden. It is not blazing hot but sunny and pleasant. I arrived here before Midsummer and it was very light and it is still June but you can tell it is already getting darker at night.

I have to go out on the veranda now and do my usual elk spotting. The neighbors always seem to  see them before me and usually send me an SMS so I can go out and see them. They are magnificent and a little scary! It sounds like I see them every night but that is not the case, but just now and again, when they decide to parade themselves in the field in front of the cottage.

Only three more sleeps

Can't believe that it is only three more days until I migrate to Europe again. It seems I just got back. Well, maybe not quite. Reading back on my notes we have done a lot of things since my return to Oz in August last year, one of the most memorable being our kids' visit in March, together with other family members and friends.

Every year at this time they have something called Vivid Sydney and it seems to get more and more elaborate. I posted a couple of photos on Facebook and here are a couple more.

This weekend has been spent driving in Sydney for different reason. Our son is giving up his flat before going to Europe for a holiday and we can store his stuff in our garage but it does mean a few trips back and forth across Sydney.

Impossible to fit in a car here but on the other hand we
have never been able to keep our cars in the garage.

I also had to do some last minute shopping in markets that are only open on the week end. We went to Paddy's Market for Australiana stuff and food, and to Bondi market as well. I love the markets here in Sydney!

The spice selection in this stand is to die for!

Bondi Beach

Going for fish and chips on Bondi Beach

I ordered a little surprise for hubby. Chargrilled
Brussels sprouts with corn and balsamic vinegar.
He actually liked them! Normally he has a gag
reflex when you serve Brussels sprouts even with
the turkey and wouldn't touch them.

Fortunately it is a long weekend here due to the Queen's birthday, so tomorrow is off work for hubby  as well.

On Tuesday I have my last art class and then Wednesday I am off for that long flight back to Sweden.
This time I don't have a stop-over unfortunately, but on the way back I'll see to that I have one.

Leaving you with a wise saying from a Korean ginseng shop:

He does look healthy and happy, doesn't he?

So, stand by for the next instalment from Sweden!